The Moral of the Story

Cindy Trane Christeson

“Communion is a wonderful time when we come together and we remember

what’s really important.” -- Kenton Beshore

Due to an unusual schedule, I had the privilege of taking Communion in

three different countries in less than two weeks. Each circumstance was

totally unique and the locations and languages were different, but the

meaning was clearly the same.

The first in the two-week period was at the church we worked with in

Cairo called Kasr el Dobara. My husband, Jon, spoke to 150 children in

one room while another of our pastors, named Jim, preached to 1,500

people in the sanctuary for the Sunday night service.

Both Jon’s and Jim’s sermons were translated into Arabic and were

received with great appreciation. Then we partook of Communion together,

which was something that needed no translation and that was definitely

received with deep appreciation.

As the pastors and elders brought the plate of bread, and later the

juice, to each of us, we stood to receive it as if out of reverence for

the value of the gift. Then each person sat down and waited for everybody

to be served until we all took the elements together.

People prayed while waiting. I prayed too, but since I was unsure about

the timing, I admit that I glanced around occasionally. I couldn’t help

but notice that everybody seemed to bow their heads as low as they

possibly could, as if to demonstrate how humble they felt to receive such

a sacrificial gift.

As I looked back, I saw that the people rose, then sat, and then bowed

their heads almost in unison as a sort of a wave silently moving to the

back and the balcony of the church. It seemed that each person was

quietly remembering and thanking God for his love, sacrifice and

forgiveness.

The second time we celebrated the Lord’s supper was at the Garden Tomb in

Jerusalem. We had a guide who did a great job summing up the significance

of the sites.

“We’re pretty sure that this is one of the two possible sites where Jesus

was buried,” he said. “And if it wasn’t this one, it would have been very

similar. But what matters most is the fact that Christ was crucified,

buried, and he rose, and he lives today. And He lives in my heart.” His

words were reinforced by the sign on the Garden Tomb which said, “He is

not here -- for he is risen.”

We had Communion in a garden nearby. It was a profound experience and it

seemed that each one of us quietly remembered and thanked God for his

love, sacrifice and forgiveness.

The week after we were home in California, we had communion at our home

church in our own language. During the service I realized that it doesn’t

matter where I am or what language I speak. In fact, it’s not about me at

all.

It’s about God. It’s about God’s love, sacrifice and forgiveness. It’s

about what God did for me. It’s about what God did for you. It’s also

about what he wants to do with us, through us and for us.

And you can quote me on that.* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach

resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She can be reached

via e-mail at cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box

6140-No. 505, Newport Beach 92658.